Air New Zealand launches World’s Coolest Safety Video

Air New Zealand is shining a global spotlight on Antarctica, today launching its latest safety video, which showcases the frozen continent and the important climate and environmental science underway there.

Building on Air New Zealand's long-standing partnership with Antarctica New Zealand and the New Zealand Antarctic Research Institute, the video sees Grenier team up with Scott Base scientists to track penguin populations, study ice core samples and visit early explorer Ernest Shackleton's hut and the vast Dry Valleys.

UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador Grenier, whose environmental work also includes co-founding ocean conservation non-profit Lonely Whale, says it was a privilege to partner with Air New Zealand and Antarctica New Zealand on the video project.

"This safety video highlights Air New Zealand's support of the scientists striving to make discoveries that are going to help humanity - a cause which aligns with my own commitment to the environment. To know the airline is doing its job to help us understand how climate change is going to affect us is something that is very important to me."

To minimise the environmental impact of filming, a total crew of just six travelled to Antarctica, with Scott Base scientists and staff doubling as supporting talent in the safety video. The airline has also released television and online content, providing a more in-depth look at Antarctica and the work being done there.

One of Antarctica New Zealand's key mandates is to raise awareness of Antarctica and the research taking place there. Chief Executive Officer Peter Beggs says the safety video project is an incredible opportunity to profile Kiwi Antarctic science around the world.

"Air New Zealand's safety videos have collectively attracted more than 130 million online views. Our teams are thrilled to have such a significant global platform to amplify their work and we’re confident it will take our outreach efforts to the next level."

22 students aged eight to eleven years old from Christchurch's Hornby Primary School also play a starring role, appearing in footage shot in Canterbury Museum’s Antarctic Gallery. Christchurch has been a gateway to Antarctica for more than 100 years and the museum holds an internationally significant collection of artefacts from early expeditions.

Air New Zealand Global Head of Brand and Content Marketing Jodi Williams says the airline has supported Antarctic science for close to a decade, and an important focus for its partnership is the three-year Biological Resilience Project.

"Multiple teams of researchers are investigating ecosystems on land and water in the Ross Sea area. The goal is to build a monitoring network to understand how rapidly the impacts of environmental change expected in a warming world may play out.

"We are incredibly proud to contribute to this world-class research and are confident the safety video project will encourage millions of people to reflect on the role they can play to minimise their own impact on our environment."

The safety video is available to view online here and will be rolled out across Air New Zealand's international and domestic fleet from today.

About Star Alliance:The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. Its acceptance by the market has been recognized by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award and Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Avianca Brasil, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI and United. Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 18,400 daily flights to 1,300 airports in 191 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partner, Juneyao Airlines.